According to Dierkes, Mesoraco can also make an additional $2 million in incentive bonuses over the length of his four-year contract. His extension buys out the first three years of his arbitration-eligible seasons, as well as his first season of free agency.

Mesoraco’s salary for the 2018 season will increase by $400,000 each time he reaches 502 plate appearances in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. Also, he’ll make an extra $150,000 for each All-Star game nomination, Gold Glove award or Silver Slugger award he is awarded. Mesoraco can also make $200,000 in incentive bonuses if he can manage to finish in the top 5 of the MVP voting, $150,000 for finishing sixth through tenth, $100,000 for finishing eleventh through fifteenth and $50,000 for finishing sixteenth through twentieth. Dierkes also notes that even though there is more than $2 million worth of incentives that can be made, the deal only allows for a maximum of $2 million to be made.

Mesoraco was eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career this offseason, as he was wanting to make $3.6 million for the 2015 season. However, the Reds would go on to counter with an offer of $2.45 million for the 2015 season. The two sides talked and ended up reaching an agreement on a four-year deal that pays him $4 million annually, without incentive bonuses. The 26-year-old backstop made $525,000 during the 2014 season.

In 440 plate appearances with the Reds during the 2014 campaign, Mesoraco managed to slash .273/.359/.534 (.843 OPS) with 25 home runs, 80 runs batted in and 54 runs scored in 114 games played. He also managed to secure a few down-the-line votes in last year’s MVP voting, as well as a selection to the All-Star game.

About The Author

I cover the latest in Major League Baseball news and rumors for Baseball Essential. I also am a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA). Follow me on Twitter at @MaxWildstein for updates on the happenings in the baseball world.